Saturday, May 25, 2013

A compromise that satisfies no one...

Undoubtedly you have read or heard of the decisions of the Boy Scouts to admit gay scouts even while continuing the ban on gay adult leaders. Some are hailing this as a break through decision on behalf of the full acceptance and assimilation of gays. Others lament the snail pace of such acceptance since the same freedom accorded boys is not allowed for adult leaders. Many, the numbers of which we do not yet know, are wondering if the organization will continue in the same shape and form following a decision that will most certainly affect the churches willingness to sponsor troops and house them.

Some insist that this is a civil rights issue on the same plane as the long battle to eliminate racial barriers and integrate American society. The problem with this is both the nature of the gay movement and its scope. Gays encompass at the most nearly 10% and the majority would put the percentage at closer to 5% of the population. In addition, the movement is less about the extension of rights and privileges to a very small minority than it is a desire to transform the very institutions it seeks to provide for its protected class and the intent to dismantle a whole host of institutions and structures within societies since the beginning of time. It is this that makes the decision of the scouts even more disconcerting. Gays have no rights prevented to them but they insist that they must have every privilege, even when that privilege means that the institutions and estates they desire will never be the same again. Gays are not prevented educational or occupational opportunity nor denied any civil rights. They are as a class more highly educated, wealthier, with greater access to the media and political power than any other minority in America. How is it that the struggle of gays is equated with the civil rights movement and its trajectory from slavery and a less than fully human status to equal place in American society and culture?

In the end, the Boy Scout decision will be but a bus stop away from the full acceptance and integration of gays both as adult leaders as well as youth participants. Everyone who can see can read the writing on the wall. But will this mean an end to scouting as we know it? I am pretty sure that this is also the writing on the wall. Churches who sponsor most scout troops are by vast majority those opposed to this change. The seemingly stable partnership between scouting and churches that sponsor them will be undone by this decision and scouting will venture into unknown territory as a less protected and supported agency. Again, the point of gay integration has never been to obtain the same right and privilege as others but to transform and, in the end, dismantle the organization it seeks to enter. What the future scouting organization will look like is at this point uncertain but it will bear only a passing resemblance to its current image and a fading memory of its past.

Contrary to what some will read in my words, I am not homophobic and bear no grudge against gays. I do believe that there is a governmental interest in protecting the family of man, woman, and children -- quite apart from any theological or moral definition. It is no different than the government's decision to subsidize home ownership as an interest that outweighs the injustice to those who rent. In addition to this non-religious reasoning, Christians see in marriage the image of God's own giving and loving nature, designed not for pleasure or self-interest but for children, for the care and support of the family, and the promotion of virtue and godliness. As children, sacrifice, and moral goodness have been further and further removed from any definition of marriage, it has suffered assaults from gays and straights until many have determined it is itself an unnecessary estate that must be transformed. This is what I am against -- not because I want to preserve the past but because it has been consistently shown that this is both the design of our Creator and the best interest of society and all of us.

3 comments:

Mathew
said...

I doubt very much this forms any kind of writing on the wall at this point. The RCC has remained neutral on this policy change while officially stating their intention to continue to support BSA. The Mormon church has given cautious approval to this policy. Together these two denomination serve more than half of the boys in troops sponsored by faith based organizations. The UMC, which is the second largest faith based sponsor after the RCC is split on the issue but is not likely to withdraw from BSA. So even if all the religious organizations that signed the open letter with President Harrison were to leave Scouting the drop in membership would be fairly minimal.

more importantly, there is no biblical ground for refusing inclusion based on temptation alone - which is all "homosexual" means or has ever met. There are many who are "open" because the do approve of homosexual intercourse and are looking to find a "boyfriend" at some point in the future. But there are also many who are open because they seek help overcoming and standing against their temptations. The current policy would keep these young men from Scouts at well.

no, this is definitely a step forward into a more biblical and, frankly, confessional way of handling scouting and I'm glad to see the change.

Sadly, this is not a step forward as gays will never allow the negative aspects of homosexuality to be freely presented by BSA or any other group. If it is attempted, they will scream "discrimination," and sue immediately.

We need to reclaim the right, the absolute necessity to discriminate. To make right and proper judgements and to act accordingly is a Biblical command. We should never allow ourselves to be forced to associate, or allow our children to come under the influence of homosexuals, adult or minor. Discrimination is a Positive Good!

Baby steps, baby steps. The gay activists will never rest. Acceptance of openly gay scouts is the first step. Next, watch the curriculum of the boy scout manual change to become gay-friendly. As long as openly gay adult leaders are banned (*wink, wink*), who will notice the other changes? The chef is busy in the kitchen substituting ingredients, but the dining room patrons seem not to notice. Finally, the "official" inclusion of gay adult leaders will be the frosting on an already-baked cake.

It is only a matter of "when" and not "if" the BSA will embrace and promote the gay agenda. The recent decision by the BSA has bought the LCMS precious time. The LCMS would do well in getting Higher Things to organize youth groups comparable to the Boy and Girl Scouts. LCMS pastors: Set aside your "worship wars" and other vicious sectarian arguments and get to work!

Live Traffic Feed

Our Means of Grace Window

The Window

This is the Means of Grace Window that is above the altar of Grace Lutheran Church where I serve. It reminds us of the keys (confession and absolution), the wheat(the bread which is the Body of Christ), the cup (which is His Blood), the Word (Scripture), and the Pastoral Office (the red stole). In this one wonderful window we see the treasures of the Church in the Word and Sacraments and I love that it is available for all to see. I realize that this image has been stolen all over the internet but it is a real window, a copyrighted image, belonging to Grace Lutheran Church, Clarksville, Tennessee, which has kindly allowed my use of it...

About Me

I have been a Lutheran Pastor for more than 37 years, serving in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and the Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Clarksville, TN, in my 25th year here. I have a lot of thoughts (obviously not all of equal weight or importance) and this place is where you meet some of those meandering thoughts from this pastoral mind.

Why begin a blog?

I spend a few minutes a few times a week checking out several different blogs. Some are on-line forums and others are the musings of friends, who, like me, are Lutheran Pastors. Since so many spend so much time in front of their computer, I am sharing a few thoughts in this medium. So join the conversation and see what pops up.